All U Can Heat
Fansided

Miami Heat’s mid-season transformation by the numbers

By Simon Smith

Jan 28, 2017; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat guard Dion Waiters (11) reacts after guard Wayne Ellington (not pictured) made a three point basket against the Detroit Pistons during the second half at American Airlines Arena. The Heat won 116-103. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 28, 2017; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat guard Dion Waiters (11) reacts after guard Wayne Ellington (not pictured) made a three point basket against the Detroit Pistons during the second half at American Airlines Arena. The Heat won 116-103. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 4
Next
Jan 28, 2017; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat guard Wayne Ellington (2) shoots over Detroit Pistons forward Reggie Bullock (25) during the first half at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

Two-Week Transformation

It’s been quite amazing to witness the improvement of the Heat in such a short space of time. From an overall team perspective, here’s a comparison of their offence over the first half of the season and their current 10 game winning streak.

Points per game

First 41 games: 98.3 (Ranked 29th)

Last 10 games: 109.2 (11th)

Field goal percentage

First 41: 43.9 (25th)

Last 10: 49.3 (3rd)

Three-point percentage

First 41: 33.8 (28th)

Last 10: 42.8 (1st)

Offensive Rating (Points per 100 possessions)

First 41: 100.6 (29th)

Last 10: 110.0 (9th)

On the surface, these are obviously outstanding improvements. Despite injuries to key players such as Justise Winslow and Josh Richardson, the Heat appear to have found a rotation that has clicked. Now with 51 games under their belt as a team, knowing each others strengths and weaknesses appears to be coming to the fore.

Furthermore, the opposition the Heat have faced during this stretch has included some high quality opposition. They have defeated the league-leading  Golden State Warriors, the Houston Rockets, and also managed an impressive road victory against the Chicago Bulls. The confidence gained from each win has been palpable, and has given the Heat the belief they are good enough to compete with any team in the league.

Home/Heat News